2021 Volvo S60 Review: Concerted Swedish Splendour
When it comes to premium luxury cruisers, most European brands tend to zero in on the performance proficiencies and flashy peripherals of their pricey 4-door cruisers. There are many discerning shoppers that value more urbane driving qualities and suave exterior aesthetics, which is luckily exactly what the 2021 Volvo S60 sedan supplies. This luxury midsize sedan forgoes the typical hotrod character and ostentatious design of many rivals, instead embracing the side of sophistication, and delivering a composed and refined driving experience and handsome design. There are various versions of the 2021 S60. The core T5 version comes powered by a 250-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 engine that is only just competent for the upscale cruiser with its responses proving a little uninspiring. The T6 and T8 models come powered by more strapping motors but, even so, competitors such as the Tesla Model 3 and Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 still offer far more entertaining experiences. Nevertheless, the S60 sedan carries a lot of appeal for those who seek a pure pleasure cruiser.
2021 S60 Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 187.4 in | 113.1 in | 56.3 in | 72.8 in | 63.0 in | 63.0 in | 3,724.0 lbs |
2021 S60 Performance
2021 S60 Interior
2021 S60 Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Volvo S60 A Good Sedan?
If you're in the market for a high-end luxury sedan, the third-generation Volvo S60 is certainly worth considering. It's a very suave and sophisticated sedan that delivers polished and compliant performance. The entry-spec S60 with the T5 powertrain is a little uninspiring, but it provides enough impetus for pleasant everyday driving nonetheless. The higher-tier S60 with the T6 powertrain is a fair amount more entertaining to drive, and the hybrid with the T8 unit offers many advantages in power and efficiency, but both come with much higher price tags.
You likely won't be disappointed by the T5 or T6 variants, though. Both drive fine in town and the NHTSA and IIHS's review of the 2021 Volvo S60 resulted in some really good scores, meaning it's a great vehicle for families, too - a claim that's backed by its abundance of inclusive driver-assistance and safety features. Its rear seats are a tad cramped and its trunk is relatively small, plus it doesn't have the best reliability record. But with the 2021 Volvo S60 sedan's price starting at $38,950, you still get plenty of value for the money considering it's a premium vehicle.
What Volvo S60 Model Should I Buy?
If you have the means to purchase the 2021 Volvo S60 sedan with the T6 powertrain, that would be ideal, even just as the entry-spec Momentum trim. The twin-turbocharged engine offers a major improvement in acceleration over the T5 unit, albeit at the expense of fuel economy. In terms of features, the S60 Momentum comes standard with all-LED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. It also comes outfitted with a really fine infotainment setup that comprises a nine-inch touchscreen and ten speakers, along with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The inclusive driver-assist suite is quite comprehensive, too, and includes a rearview camera, rear park assist, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear collision avoidance, hill start assist, and cruise control.